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Corben Ace

Ace Aircraft is one of the oldest kit planes on the market today.
The names of "Ace" Corben, Ed Heath, and B.H. Pietenpol were
synonymous with experimental homebuilt aircraft as far back as 1930.
Presently, we still find the basic designs of "Ace" Corben still
being built, flown and admired by those who still find the past as
exciting as the designs and materials of the present.

During 1935.Popular Aviation
magazine published a series of articles concerning this attractive
single-seat sportplane intended for construction by amateurs. A Ford Model
A automobile engine was used for power, and it too was subject of an
article describing modifications and needed accessories.

The Super-Ace was designed by Orlan G. Corben, who had also produced other
sport planes such as the Baby-Ace and Junior-Ace,Praiseworthy for
simplicity and economy. The Super-Ace incorporated similar
straight-forward construction philosophy combined with readily available
low cost materials. Its exciting appearance and spirited performance made
the Super-Ace an intriguing proposition, as did the dramatic full-colour
painting by Hermin R. Bollin on the April 1935 Popular Aviation
front cover.

Paul Poberezny, founder of the EAA, gave renewed life to the Corben
designs back in 1954 when he acquired the remains of the Corben
Airplane Company. Paul deserves recognition for his role in keeping
the Corben designs alive.

The Baby Ace has
proven to be a popular design. The fuselage of the open-cockpit
single seater is made of steel tubing covered with fabric. The wing
is made of two wood spars, also covered with fabric. The Junior Ace
is a side-by-side two seater constructed in the same manner. Owners
praise the designs because they are easy to build and fly.

Depending on the
powerplant -- typically a Continental C-65 or C-85 -- the Baby Ace
will cruise at around 100 mph and climb at 1,200 fpm, according to
Ace Aircraft. The Junior Ace, with a C-85, will cruise at 105 mph
and climb at 500 fpm. Both aircraft have a range of about 350 miles.

Model:

Group Code:

Landing Gear:

Seats:

Construction
Material:

Engine:

Horsepower:

Propellor:

Maximum Speed:

Cruise Speed:

Stall Speed: @ gross

Service Ceiling:

Takeoff Distance:

Landing Distance:

Rate of Climb (gross):

Maximum Range:

Empty Weight:

Gross Weight:

Useful Load:

Fuel Capacity:

Cabin Width:

Overall Length:

Height:

Wingspan:

Wing Area:

Wing Loading:

Corben Baby Ace
Model D

CONV

FG (Tailwheel)

1

Metal tube and
fabric

Continental, Lycoming

65-85

2
blade metal or wood

96 kts @ sea
level

87
kts

30
kts

10,500 ft (3,200 m)

300
ft (91.5 m)

250
ft (76 m)

1200 fpm

n/a

575
lbs (260 kg)

950 lbs (430
kg)

375 lbs (170
kg)

17 gal (64 l)

24 inches

17.9 ft ( m)

n/a

26.5 ft (8 m)

110 sq ft

8.6 lbs/sq ft
(kg/sq m)

Corben Junior Ace
Model E

CONV

FG (Tailwheel)

2 Side-by-Side

Metal tube and
fabric

Continental, Lycoming

65-120

2
blade metal or wood

113 kts @ sea
level

91
kts

38
kts

10,500 ft (3,200 m)

600
ft (183 m)

300
ft ( m)

500
fpm

n/a

645
lbs

1225 lbs

580 lbs

22 gal (83 l)

30 or 36 inches

18 ft ( m)

n/a

26.5 ft (8 m)

110 sq ft

11.13 lbs/sq ft
(kg/sq m)

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